The brown rat weighs between 350 and 500 grams and is typically between 20cm and 28cm long (excluding the tail). They vary in colour from black through to grey brown. The first sign of a rat infestation is often their droppings (torpedoed in shape and about 20mm in length). Other signs can be damaged packets of food, cartons, bags and greasy dirt smear marks on skirting boards, floors and work tops.
Are rats are a risk?
Rats will urinate and defecate indiscriminately and almost continuously producing up to 60 droppings per day. So, in short, yes, they pose a real risk. More worryingly is the damage they can cause. Their propensity to gnaw means they can gnaw through electrical wires causing expensive electrical faults and worse, electrical fires. We have found instances where they have gnawed through plastic water pipes and caused flooding. They pose a risk to health because they spread diseases through bites, urine, droppings, skin contact and parasites.
Yes, but please bear in mind they can squeeze through gaps of only 20mm in width. Quite often however, problems with rats usually stem from the sewers. From breaks in the sewers, they can gain access to your cavity walls and like mice, will gain access to the loft. From here, forage the entire building looking for food and water.
In addition to proofing gaps and cracks, good rodent prevention practices include:
Removing sources of food and water (employ specialist bird feeders and not leave scraps out loose for the birds).
Avoid the accumulation of rubbish, piles of wood and garden waste and cut back and clear overgrown areas. Minimising harbourage will certainly help.
If you can, avoid using decking in your garden. They love hiding and nesting underneath it.
Check your sewers are in good repair as rats often access the house via a broken sewer pipe or a gap in a construction joint.
Maintain your compost bin. Only dispose of garden and vegetable waste in your compost bin (no cereals or meat).
